The United States has promised to give $2 billion in humanitarian aid to the United Nations. This decision follows a pause in contributions earlier this year, which caused challenges for the UN and other aid groups.
Key Facts
The U.S. pledged $2 billion in aid to the United Nations.
This aid is part of a new plan to change how the U.S. funds foreign aid.
Earlier this year, the U.S. paused almost all of its aid contributions.
The pause in aid caused difficulties for the UN and other organizations.
The information was discussed by William Brangham and Jeremy Konyndyk from Refugees International.
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George Clooney, Amal Clooney, and their children have received French citizenship. The family lives on a farm in Brignoles, in southern France, which is now their main home. The Clooneys made their citizenship change public through the French government's official publication.
Key Facts
George Clooney, his wife Amal, and their twins were granted French citizenship.
The family lives on a farm in Brignoles, in the south of France.
George and Amal Clooney bought the French home in 2021.
George Clooney wanted to raise his children away from Hollywood's spotlight.
Their citizenship was announced in the Journal Officiel, a French government publication.
George Clooney owns homes in the UK and Kentucky, USA.
Amal Clooney was born in Lebanon and grew up in the UK.
George describes his French language skills as poor compared to Amal and their children, who speak it fluently.
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The Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, located near the Russian border, has endured significant difficulties during Russia's ongoing attacks over the past four years. Despite these challenges, Kharkiv continues to maintain its cultural and religious traditions.
Key Facts
Kharkiv is located less than 20 miles from Russia.
The city has faced four years of attacks from Russia.
Many soldiers and citizens in Kharkiv have experienced personal losses.
Despite hardships, Kharkiv has kept its Christian cultural life going.
Some cultural activities are happening underground to avoid attacks.
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The article discusses efforts by artists in Gaza to preserve and rebuild their cultural heritage. Many cultural sites and artworks have been damaged or lost in the past two years due to ongoing conflict.
Key Facts
Gaza has a rich cultural and artistic history despite facing conflict and struggle.
Many cultural sites and pieces of art in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed in the past two years.
Artists in Gaza are working to preserve and rebuild their cultural heritage.
The focus on rebuilding art and culture is part of a broader arts and culture series called CANVAS.
The article is reported by Jeffrey Brown, a senior arts correspondent.
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A fire started in a family's home in Caerwent, Monmouthshire, when a toy car battery unit caught fire on Christmas Day. Sherianne Wood, her two sons, and their dogs had to escape the building, and now they are staying in a hotel while awaiting damage assessment. The family is raising awareness about the dangers of rechargeable battery units following the incident.
Key Facts
A fire occurred in a family's flat in Caerwent, Monmouthshire, on Christmas Day due to a toy car battery.
Sherianne Wood and her sons, Evan and Blake, left the flat when the blaze started.
The fire department attributed the fire to a remote-control charging lithium battery unit.
Ms. Wood re-entered the burning building twice to save her dogs.
The family is currently living in a hotel while the full damage is assessed.
A crowdfunding campaign has raised over £3,500 to support the family.
Ms. Wood wants to warn others about the risks associated with rechargeable battery units.
The incident resulted in psychological distress for her children, as mentioned by Ms. Wood.
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An elderly man died after being hit by a car and carried on its roof for about a mile in Gillingham, Kent. Three men have been arrested in connection with the incident, and police are seeking witnesses and video footage to assist with the investigation.
Key Facts
The incident occurred on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham, Kent.
A grey Mercedes estate hit a pedestrian in his 80s and carried him on its roof.
A postman found the man's body on Grange Road.
The vehicle was abandoned in Eastcourt Lane, and its two occupants fled on foot.
Three men have been arrested: a 29-year-old from Chatham, a 28-year-old of no fixed address, and another 28-year-old from Edgware, London.
Police released CCTV images showing two men, one running with a car number plate.
The police are requesting witnesses or anyone with video footage of the incident to come forward.
The South East Coast Ambulance Service treated the man at the scene, but he later died.
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Isiah Whitlock Jr., an actor famous for his work on the TV show "The Wire," has passed away at age 71. He died in New York after a short illness, as confirmed by his manager. Whitlock had a long career in both television and film.
Key Facts
Isiah Whitlock Jr. was best known for his role as Senator Clay Davis on "The Wire."
He passed away at 71 years old.
Whitlock died peacefully in New York.
He had a brief illness before his death.
Over his career, he appeared in many TV series like "Veep," "Your Honor," and "Law & Order."
He also acted in several films directed by Spike Lee.
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The United States has imposed sanctions on a Venezuelan company for allegedly acquiring drones designed by Iran. The sanctions are part of rising tensions between the U.S., Iran, and Venezuela. The U.S. Treasury Department also took action against several Iranians linked to Iran’s arms industry.
Key Facts
The U.S. sanctioned Empresa Aeronautica Nacional SA (EANSA), a Venezuelan firm, for allegedly assembling Iranian-designed drones.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury claims the company works with Venezuelan and Iranian armed forces on drone production.
Sanctions freeze any assets in the U.S. and prohibit financial transactions with the targeted company and individuals.
The U.S. alleges Iran and Venezuela have been cooperating on drone provision since 2006.
Iran's Ministry of Defence has been under U.S. sanctions since 2020 for its involvement in weapons selling and procuring.
President Trump has threatened further U.S. strikes against Iran if it rebuilds missile or nuclear capabilities.
The U.S. has imposed additional sanctions on individuals connected to Iran's arms industry.
Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela include accusations of drug trafficking and U.S. actions against Venezuelan resources.
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A man was arrested after attacking five people with a weapon at Newton Community Hospital in England. The suspect became upset after being denied a hospital appointment and caused damage before assaulting staff and visitors. The injured individuals received medical care, none of whom had life-threatening wounds.
Key Facts
The incident happened at Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows, St Helens, England.
The suspect attacked five people with a possible crowbar; their injuries were not life-threatening.
The suspect, a 20-year-old originally from Afghanistan, was arrested on multiple charges, including wounding and criminal damage.
The attack began after the suspect was denied a hospital appointment and asked to leave.
The suspect reportedly damaged a counter before attacking the people inside.
Witnesses reported seeing victims and hospital staff being evacuated while a large police response occurred.
Police and paramedics acted quickly, providing medical aid to those injured and securing the area.
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President Donald Trump and leaders from Russia and Ukraine are getting closer to a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, two main issues remain unresolved: control over Ukrainian territories, specifically the Donbas region, and the management of Europe's largest nuclear plant in Zaporizhzhia, which is currently held by Russia.
Key Facts
President Trump said there are still "thorny" issues in the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
The Donbas region is a significant point of dispute, with Russia wanting full control, while Ukraine suggests a compromise.
Russian forces currently occupy most of Luhansk and over 75% of Donetsk in the Donbas area.
The Russian and Ukrainian leaders plan to meet in France on January 6 to discuss further.
Russia has controlled Europe's largest nuclear plant at Zaporizhzhia since March 2022.
The US has proposed managing the nuclear plant jointly with Ukraine and Russia, but Ukraine finds this idea unrealistic.
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A Russian ship, Ursa Major, sank in the Mediterranean Sea and is believed to have carried parts for a type of nuclear reactor. Reports suggest these parts were possibly destined for North Korea to aid in its naval modernization. The ship's route and cargo have drawn significant international attention and concern.
Key Facts
The Russian ship sank in the Mediterranean Sea under unusual conditions in December 2024.
Investigators suspect the ship was carrying parts for a naval nuclear reactor.
These parts were reportedly headed for North Korea to support its naval modernization.
The ship was operated by a Russian company and was part of Russia's "shadow fleet."
The ship suffered three explosions in the engine room, considered a "terrorist attack" by the operating company.
The ship's initial route seemed unusual if it was only carrying icebreaker parts and empty containers.
Reports indicate the ship might have carried casings for Soviet-era nuclear submarine reactors.
Concerns have been raised about Russia's cooperation with North Korea on missile and nuclear programs.
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Tatiana Schlossberg, an environmental journalist and granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, died at the age of 35. She had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer, in May 2024.
Key Facts
Tatiana Schlossberg was a journalist focused on environmental issues.
She was the granddaughter of late President John F. Kennedy.
She was 35 years old at the time of her death.
Schlossberg was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in May 2024.
Her cancer had a rare mutation usually found in older adults.
She had revealed in November 2025 that she had terminal cancer.
Her death was announced in a family statement on social media.
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Eurostar has stopped all train services between the UK and continental Europe due to a power issue in the Channel Tunnel. The problem left many passengers looking for other ways to travel during the busy holiday season. The power problem caused a train to get stuck, impacting journeys between London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels.
Key Facts
Eurostar suspended all of its services between London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels indefinitely.
A power supply problem in the Channel Tunnel caused the disruption.
A shuttle train got stuck in the tunnel, stopping traffic in both directions.
Eurotunnel, which operates the Channel Tunnel, said a technical fix is underway to address the power issue.
The disruption affected many travelers during a busy holiday travel period.
Crowds at train stations in London and Paris had to seek other travel options.
Eurostar had faced previous issues with electrical faults and cable thefts earlier in the year.
Eurostar saw a record number of passengers last year, boosted by events like the Olympics in Paris.
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Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu visited the United States to meet with President Donald Trump. Netanyahu aimed to gain U.S. support on issues involving Turkey and Iran, but did not achieve these goals. President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed various topics, including Gaza reconstruction and Hamas disarmament, but Trump's official statements did not support Netanyahu's requests.
Key Facts
Netanyahu visited the U.S. for the fifth time since Trump became President.
Netanyahu tried to get U.S. support to block Turkey's involvement in Gaza and for a possible Israeli strike on Iran.
President Trump did not agree to Netanyahu's requests, expressing good relations with Turkey and mentioning a possible deal with Iran.
Trump stated Gaza reconstruction would start soon and that many countries support the disarmament of Hamas.
Israeli media inaccurately reported U.S. greenlight for an Israeli strike on Iran, which was not confirmed.
Trump called Netanyahu a "great wartime prime minister" and discussed a pardon with Israel's President Herzog, which Herzog denied.
Trump will receive the Israel Prize in 2026, as communicated in a call with Israeli Minister of Education, Yoav Kish.
Discussions around Trump and Netanyahu hint at aligned interests, but official statements do not fully support this notion.
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An investigation found no evidence that two men, accused of killing 15 people at a Jewish festival in Sydney, were part of a larger terrorist group. The men, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram, allegedly acted alone. The attack occurred during a Hannukah festival at Bondi Beach.
Key Facts
Police found no connections between the accused shooters and a larger terrorist group.
Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram were accused of killing 15 people and injuring 40 at a Sydney Jewish festival.
They traveled to the Philippines but were mostly in their hotel, with no evidence of planning an attack there.
The accused are said to have been inspired by the Islamic State group.
Naveed Akram has not yet entered pleas for numerous charges, including murder and terrorism.
Sydney police plan to increase security with 2,500 officers at New Year's Eve celebrations.
Commemoration efforts for the victims include a moment of silence and menorah projections at Sydney Harbor.
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After Christmas, many live trees end up in landfills, causing environmental issues due to their slow decomposition. Alternatives to throwing trees away include using them as mulch or firewood, creating wildlife shelters, or participating in local collection programs that repurpose them.
Key Facts
About 10 million live Christmas trees are thrown into landfills yearly.
In landfills, trees break down slowly and produce greenhouse gases like methane.
Using a tree as mulch or firewood can help the environment and your garden.
Old trees can create shelters for fish if sunk into a pond.
Trees left in yards can provide shelter for nonmigratory birds and wildlife.
Some communities collect trees to use for erosion control or mulch.
Local programs may allow tree donations to farms for livestock food.
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Thieves used a large drill to break into a bank in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, stealing about €30 million in cash and valuables. The heist occurred during the quiet Christmas period, with suspects gaining entry through a parking garage and no arrests have been made yet.
Key Facts
Thieves used a large drill to access a high street bank in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
The estimated value of the stolen money and valuables is €30 million.
Over 3,000 safe deposit boxes containing money, gold, and jewelry were broken into.
Police discovered the break-in after a fire alarm went off early Monday morning.
The thieves entered and left the bank through a nearby parking garage.
Security footage showed a black Audi RS 6 leaving the area on Monday morning.
No arrests have been made, and the perpetrators are still at large.
The Sparkasse bank branch has set up a hotline for affected customers, and the branch is temporarily closed.
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Protests in Iran began due to high inflation and a plummeting currency and have spread from the capital, Tehran, to other cities. Demonstrators include shopkeepers and university students, with some voicing support for the son of Iran's last Shah. Iran's government is looking to address the issues, and international figures like President Trump have commented on the situation.
Key Facts
Protests in Iran started after the Iranian rial drastically lost value against the US dollar.
Demonstrations and strikes have spread from Tehran to cities including Isfahan and Shiraz.
Iran's government acknowledged the protests and is engaging with protest representatives.
Iran's central bank governor resigned, and a former finance minister was appointed as his replacement.
Protests include anti-government slogans, and students have joined the demonstrations.
Reza Pahlavi, the Shah's son, expressed support for the protesters from exile in the US.
The US and President Trump have shown attention to the protests and Iran's economic problems.
President Trump mentioned potential support for Israeli air strikes if Iran continues missile or nuclear activities.
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The article discusses Abraham Lincoln's views on slavery and the Founding Fathers' intentions. It highlights Lincoln's 1860 Cooper Union Address, where he defended the Founding Fathers as anti-slavery visionaries. Lincoln argued that most of the Founding Fathers intended to limit or prohibit slavery based on historical voting records.
Key Facts
In 1860, America was debating slavery and the intentions of the Founding Fathers.
Some people believed the Founding Fathers supported slavery, but Lincoln disagreed.
Lincoln criticized the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision, which supported slavery.
Lincoln's Cooper Union Address argued for using federal power to limit slavery.
He prepared for the speech by researching historical records and votes by the Founders.
Lincoln found that 21 out of 23 voting Founders opposed slavery's expansion.
He noted that leaders like Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton were against slavery.
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Most of Florida is under a freeze warning and cold weather advisory as a cold front moves through the state. Temperatures are expected to drop much lower than usual, with some areas experiencing temperatures below freezing. These conditions are not common in Florida and could impact vegetation and infrastructure.
Key Facts
A cold front is causing unusually low temperatures in Florida.
Freeze warnings cover cities like Lake City, Gainesville, and Ocala.
Cold weather advisories are in effect from the Panhandle to Orlando and coastal areas like Jacksonville and Tampa.
The National Weather Service (NWS) expects wind chills to make it feel as cold as 23 degrees in some areas.
Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 28 degrees are possible in certain parts.
People are advised to protect plants, bring pets indoors, and check on their neighbors.
Meteorologists suggest warming temperatures are likely by the end of the week.
Residents are warned to prepare for conditions that are unusual in the region.
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